TUNED IN: Period medical drama The Knick enthralling

Show raw in its realism but director Soderbergh, cast offer brilliant viewing

Andre Holland, Michael Angarano, Clive Owen, Eve Hewson and Eric Johnson star in The Knick, set in 1900 at New York City’s Knickerbocker Hospital, home to groundbreaking surgeons, nurses, and staff who push the boundaries of medicine in a time of astonishingly high mortality rates and zero antibiotics. (HBO CANADA)

There were a few times when watching The Knick that I had to avert my eyes.

I’ve never been one for medical shows that dive right in with a scalpel cutting into flesh or hands poking about in an open abdomen.

But in this case it isn’t done purely for sensationalism as the new 10-part series, directed by Steven Soderbergh, is a turn-of-the-century medical drama set in New York City’s now defunct Knickerbocker Hospital.

Things were a bit more up-to-your-elbows back in the day.

The Knick is airing in the U.S. on HBO’s saucier sister station Cinemax (also known as Skinamax for its soft porn offerings), which probably explains its later airtime of 11 p.m. EDT, which means midnight here. Prepare to set your DVR.

All that aside — and it isn’t a total gorefest, just very graphic when required — it’s an excellent period drama starring Clive Owen as the brilliantly troubled (he and Dr. House would get along quite well) Dr. John Thackery, who is battling his demons while trying to move surgical procedures into the modern era.

Unfortunately, the cost of blazing new surgical grounds is high, taking quite a toll on Thackery and his mentor Dr. Christianson (Matt Frewer), not to mention the patients, who are more likely to die than not.

Also contributing to Thackery’s discontent is the addition of another brilliant surgeon, Dr. Algernon Edwards (Andre Holland), who studied and made a name for himself in Europe. All good, except he’s black.

He’s hired at the insistence of the progressive benefactors of the hospital, including Cornelia Robertson (Juliet Rylance), who are determined to serve the neediest of the needy as more Manhattan hospitals focus on treating the well-to-do.

The Knick takes its time to introduce us to the world of corrupt ambulance services, shady health inspectors, diseases sweeping immigrant communities, and the tortured soul of Thackery, who might arrive at the hospital after spending the night at a brothel.

Egos run amok in this world. The public — many of whom don’t speak English — are desperate for relief from their various gruesome ailments and happily turn their faith over to the dashing men in three-piece suits who will likely kill them.

Doctor as God is not a new theme, but it is the central core of the drama, which fits, given the time period.

The Knick doesn’t shade us from the reality of surgical procedures of the 1900s, nor does it hide the racism, sexism and every other “ism” of the day.

It’s a raw world, but an intriguing one, to be sure.

At the centre is Owen, who is on top of his game here as the twitchy, drug-addicted surgical pioneer battling to be left alone to do his own thing while getting around the politics of the hospital.

As has been the latest trend on premium cable, each episode was directed by Soderbergh, his first crack at directing a television series, offering a consistent tone and arc as well as top-notch cinematography.

One can assume this is Cinemax’s foray into more premium dramas, and if this is the result it should be highly encouraged.